15: Chapter 15 Selecting a Correspondent

A glimmer of shrewdness flashed in Secretary Sun Wei's eyes as he patted his shoulder: "You're too polite, brother! Let's consult each other on things from now on."

He threw his head back and downed the drink, his Adam's apple bobbing intensely.

This fifty-something Secretary Sun Wei knew exactly what was going on. The young man before him had a significant background; if he could ride his coattails to get transferred back to the county seat, it would be far better than wasting away in this godforsaken place until retirement.

Secretary Sun Wei was truly at his wit's end. He was over fifty, and the old leader who had previously promoted him had long since retired; otherwise, he wouldn't have been "exiled" to Guantian to serve as Secretary.

His home was in Anjiang County, his wife taught at County No. 1 Middle School, and at his age with no powerful connections, his ambitions for his political career had long since worn away.

In a place like Guantian, what did it matter even if you held all the power? You had to write IOUs just to go out for a meal.

Therefore, Secretary Sun Wei's biggest hope now was to be transferred back to the county seat to serve as a bureau chief, or even a deputy bureau chief—the kind with a positive section-level rank would do—at least it would be closer to home and easier.

But there were only so many positions in the county seat, and countless township cadres were eyeing them; without strong connections, it was impossible to get a turn.

And the arrival of Li Dakang gave Secretary Sun Wei a glimmer of hope.

Good heavens, a township head in his early twenties—in his thirty-plus years of navigating the officialdom, Secretary Sun Wei had never heard of such a thing; he was even younger than his own son.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that his background was extraordinary.

Whether he was here to get things done or just to gild his resume, as long as he could establish a connection and help him get back to the city, that was enough.

That was why Secretary Sun Wei was genuinely warm towards Li Dakang from the bottom of his heart.

Since they still had to work in the afternoon, everyone drank with restraint.

After the meal, Director Su Zhiguo led Li Dakang to the township head's office.

Don't look down on Guantian because it's poor; the township head's office was actually quite spacious, at over thirty square meters, and it was even a suite.

The outer room was for office work, while the inner room came with a bed and an en-suite bathroom—it could be considered a "high-end configuration" amidst the simplicity.

The room had just been cleaned, the curtains were newly replaced, and the tables and chairs also exuded a brand-new air.

Li Dakang looked around, and he could tell that Director Su Zhiguo had put in the effort.

"Township Head, is there anything else you need? I'll have someone buy it immediately," Director Su Zhiguo asked, bowing slightly.

"Not for now. Sorry to trouble you, Director Su Zhiguo. I'll let you know if I need anything else."

"Then please rest, Township Head. Call me anytime if you need anything." Director Su Zhiguo retreated softly.

Closing the door, Li Dakang lay down on the bed in the inner room for a short nap.

At this time of year, if you didn't take a nap at noon, you were bound to feel drowsy in the afternoon.

...

The Township Government started work at two-thirty. Li Dakang woke up and washed his face, feeling much more refreshed.

He glanced at his watch and saw there was still some time before work, so he sat down to smoke.

"I must first tour Guantian Township to thoroughly understand the situation and see if there are any unique industries that can be developed. Improving the economy is the only hard truth."

Li Dakang smoked, calculating in his mind.

Before long, Director Su Zhiguo knocked and entered: "Township Head, I'm here to report on the matter of the correspondent. Do you have any specific requirements?"

"I want someone younger, preferably with a university education, and crucially, someone familiar with the township's situation," Li Dakang said.

A correspondent was very important; if used well, they could help him quickly get to the bottom of things in Guantian.

"There is a local university graduate named Zheng Shijun who was assigned here last year. He's sharp and has a strong grasp of writing," Director Su Zhiguo thought for a moment before replying.

"Alright, bring him in to see me."

Soon, Director Su Zhiguo brought in a young man in his twenties: "Township Head, this is Zheng Shijun from the Party and Government Office."

"Thank you for your hard work, Director Su Zhiguo. You can step out first; I'll have a chat with him," Li Dakang nodded.

Director Su Zhiguo acknowledged this and softly closed the door as he retreated.

"Shijun, come over and sit."

Li Dakang's voice resonated in the office. He reached into his drawer, pulled out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, took one out, and tossed it to the young man.

The cigarette traced an arc through the air, and Zheng Shijun caught it in a flurry: "Thank you, Township Head."

He hurriedly pulled out a lighter and bent over to light Li Dakang's cigarette, but was stopped by a wave of his hand.

"No need to be so formal."

Li Dakang lit his own cigarette, and blue-gray smoke swirled before him.

"We're about the same age, both young people. I heard from Director Su Zhiguo that you're a local from Guantian?"

Zheng Shijun straightened his back, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the unlit cigarette: "Yes, Township Head. I'm from Zhengjia Village, and I was assigned to the township right after graduating from university last year."

Li Dakang's eyes lit up: "Are you familiar with the situation in Guantian?"

"Township Head, I lived here until I went to university, so I'm fairly familiar with the situation."

Zheng Shijun's voice gradually steadied; Li Dakang's easygoing nature made him breathe a sigh of relief.

"That's fine." Li Dakang stubbed out his cigarette.

"For now, you will be my correspondent. I plan to start visiting the villages the day after tomorrow, and I aim to finish visiting all of them within half a month."

"In that case, make an itinerary for me. As for those accompanying us, besides the two of us, just call the village-assigned cadres."

Zheng Shijun's eyes instantly lit up, and his cheeks flushed with excitement: "Thank you for your trust, Township Head! I'll go do it right away!"

He knew all too well the weight of this position—a township head's correspondent was a role many people were eyeing.

Li Dakang nodded, his gaze shifting to the documents on the table.

Zheng Shijun tactfully retreated, gently closing the door, and once he reached the corridor, he couldn't help but pump his fist.

Near the end of the workday, Zheng Shijun knocked on the door again, holding the itinerary.

The handwriting on the paper was so neat it was almost rigid, with the distance, road conditions, and estimated travel time noted after each village name.

"Township Head, this is the plan based on the situation in the township. Please take a look." Zheng Shijun handed it over with both hands.